The story is told about the farmer who left his prized cow with another friend so he could go on a trip. The cow died while the farmer was gone. Upon his return, he was distraught to learn of his cow’s

death.

“I was going to sell the cow,” he said. “I desperately need the money.”

Then he decided, “I will still sell the cow. I’ll do it by a lottery.” He sold 300 tickets at $2 each, and then presented the dead cow to the winner of the lottery. When the winner complained that he had no use for a dead cow, the farmer apologized and returned the $2 for his ticket. As per plan he retained the remaining $598!

Probably someone reading this is thinking, “smart farmer!” He found a way to get the money he needed. Hopefully, most readers are thinking what a wicked farmer. He sold the tickets under false pretences. He resorted to ethical misconduct to create a false “cash cow”. The farmer was willing to cheat 300 people just to get what he thought he needed. He sold out more than the lottery tickets, he sold his integrity.

When you resort to unethical conduct in an attempt to cure your problems its like selling a dead cow. Misrepresent the truth is lying. In the story the farmer stole from 300 people. He disregarded the impact his scheme would have on others. His duplicity seemed so smart but it required he treat others in a way he would never want to be treated.

What will integrity or duplicity guide your decisions? The temptation to abandon values can be overwhelming. This is especially true if we allow our heart to entertain greed, pride, deceitfulness, unforgiveness or a lack of accountability.

Be careful when duplicity seems smart or when taking advantage of someone else seems inconsequential.

Remember accomplishments never excuse a lack of integrity.

Todays decisions produce tomorrows reality.

“The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity”
(Proverbs 11:3).

When my wife was working at a Canadian bank she was trained in how to identify counterfeit money. Although she also had technology like a scanner to support her, the management required that she could instantly and accurately recognize bogus currency. The way they equipped their employees was simple but brilliant. They taught them the unique features embedded in the genuine money. The more my wife learned about the real the easier it became for her to discern the false.

In our pursuit of becoming a person of integrity, we must focus on integrity rather than on corruption. We must become familiar with integrity. When you and I focus on Integrity, it enables us to instantly discern corrupt and quickly make choices to avoid it. This ability to identify the good is part of what makes Commissioning a Lifestyle of Integrity (CLI) more than an anti-corruption program but a pro-integrity lifestyle.

It is interesting to note that the Britannica Online Encyclopedia definition of corruption is determined by identifying integrity rather than focusing on corruption. It defines corruption as an impairment of integrity or a lack of integrity. By implication then, the way to become a person of integrity is to focus on the good. The way to become a person of integrity to set your affections and actions on what is good.

Here is what integrity looks like:
a) complete, whole, entire, undivided lacking nothing
b) unmarred, sound, in original perfect state, unimpaired
c) fair, true, honest, sincere
d) loving and good
e) praiseworthy and noble
f) just and kind
g) loving and selfless
h) authentic and genuine
Keep your focus there and it will inspire you to become a person of integrity.

But if you focus on everything that is corruption you will feel overwhelmed by evil. And here is what corruption looks like:
a) spoiling or decomposition
b) infected or tainted
c) putrid or sour
d) depraved or perverse
e) bribery or extortion
f) incorrect or changed inaccurate
g) flawed or damaged
h) pure or chastity
… and the list goes on and on. Remember your focus makes all the difference.

The Bible gives this counsel.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8.
I suggest memorizing those words. And from time to time ask yourself, “Where is my focus?

When I think of an “i.t.” person, I do so as an end user and not as a techie. I rely on the “i.t.” person and wouldn’t function without them. So when my computer or smartphone is … sluggish, crashed, frozen or just misbehaving I call for an “i.t.” And sometimes these gurus of technology also show me how to do things easier, quicker or introduce me to capacities I never knew my device had.